Being a firefighter is a very tough job. It can involve extreme danger and stress. It should not involve, however, stress brought on by co-workers who subject others to sexual harassment. But that's what one volunteer firefighter says happened to her, and she's speaking up about it.

The woman, who worked both as a firefighter and emergency medical technician at the Laurel Lake Fire Company, says one co-worker subjected her to pervasive sexual harassment from late 2006 to early 2008, including inappropriate touching. She's since sued him, the Commercial Township Board of Fire Commissioners and the former fire chief.

According to NJ.com, the woman claims in her lawsuit that her co-worker subjected her to harassment of physical and non-physical nature. For example, she says, he touched her behind and her breast and otherwise assaulted her at one point.

The woman, who is seeking punitive damages and attorney fees, sued the board and the former fire chief because she says they failed to stop the harassment. The chief, she claims, failed to properly implement a remedial process or a better way of processing complaints. Instead, she says, the lack of help caused her to be subjected to a hostile work environment.

The chief no longer works for the fire department, but instead was recently elected as mayor of a town in Louisiana. The parties will be in court for a hearing in late January. The co-worker she is suing has asked for a jury trial.

Source: NJ.com, "Laurel Lake sexual harassment defendant wants trial," Jason Laday, Dec. 29, 2011